The surge in illegal immigration is placing unprecedented pressures on Southern California’s healthcare system, resulting in longer wait times for American patients and exacerbating nursing shortages.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
Southern California’s healthcare facilities are facing critical challenges as a growing number of migrants seek medical attention. This escalation in patient numbers, largely attributed to illegal immigration, is causing prolonged wait times for local American patients and aggravating the existing nursing shortage. A healthcare worker, speaking to The Epoch Times, expressed concerns over the healthcare system being overwhelmed by illegal migrants. These individuals often require medical care due to injuries sustained during their journey or while attempting to cross the border.
The financial burden of treating these patients is significant, with helicopter rescues to trauma centers alone costing around $30,000 per incident, not including subsequent medical treatments. This scenario has raised questions about who bears the financial responsibility for these expenses. The healthcare worker highlighted the additional challenges posed by diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19, which are brought into the country by migrants from various regions.
In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. saw over 3.2 million apprehensions of illegal and inadmissible aliens, a notable increase from the previous year. This surge has led to an overburdened healthcare system, where even language barriers present significant obstacles. Hospitals are compelled to employ translators or staff proficient in multiple languages, further straining resources.
The impact of this influx is particularly evident in the treatment prioritization of patients. Illegal migrants often receive medical attention more rapidly than veterans and retired military personnel, causing delays in appointments for these American citizens. The healthcare worker observed firsthand the expedited care provided to illegal migrants compared to the prolonged wait times for veterans seeking specialist care.
The situation is further complicated by the secrecy surrounding patient information. Border Patrol agents, who often bring in patients, are instructed to maintain confidentiality, leading to a lack of public awareness about the circumstances of these individuals’ arrival and care.
A doctor, who also spoke to The Epoch Times under the condition of anonymity, echoed these concerns, citing the overwhelming burden on hospitals in San Diego and Imperial counties. He criticized the lack of transparency regarding NGOs paid to provide services to illegal migrants and noted the difficulties in obtaining local contracts for medical services.
This doctor highlighted the high rates of tuberculosis in Imperial County, nearly ten times higher than the U.S. national average. The prevalence of this and other diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections, has increased with the influx of illegal migrants, further taxing the healthcare system.
The FAIR estimates the cost of healthcare for illegal immigrants in California to be around $4.8 billion per year, with the total cost of illegal immigration in the state reaching approximately $22.8 billion annually. These costs cover a range of services including education, health care, law enforcement, and welfare.
Robert Hammond, a former Marine and cancer patient, expressed his frustrations to The Epoch Times, highlighting the delayed medical care for veterans due to the border crisis. He criticized the government’s prioritization of resources for illegal migrants over American citizens, including veterans.
This situation underscores the complex challenges posed by illegal immigration, impacting not just healthcare but also national security and resource allocation in the United States.